We are delighted to share our Annual Community Impact Report for 2024–2025, which reflects a year of progress, investment, and unwavering commitment to transforming lives through education. This report demonstrates how we continue to deliver exceptional learning experiences while strengthening the communities we serve.

Starting in September 2023, on a Wednesday afternoon, following lunch, all Wath Academy students get the opportunity to participate every week, in one of over seventy Enrichment activities, ranging from Rugby to Baking, Robotics to Canoeing, and Special Effects Make-up to the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Over the year students get to choose an Enrichment activity each term, giving them exposure to a wide range of experiences, further developing their character, and creating positive school memories which will last a lifetime.

Wath Academy, part of Maltby Learning Trust, was faced with just 37.5% of students accessing after school Enrichment activities prior to September 2023. The Principal, Liam Ransome, along with the leadership team, wanted to find a way to ensure that all students could access these sessions and the new curriculum and timetable was the perfect solution.

Mr Ransome said, “We firmly believe that Enrichment activities can be transformational for our students as we recognise the significant impact that discovering new passions and opportunities can have on a young person. With sessions from Public Speaking to Chess, Drama Society to Golf, and Landscape Gardening to Rock Climbing, we wanted to find a way to ensure 100% of our students could access these activities within the weekly curriculum.

“We’d previously had a strong after school Enrichment offer, but our data showed that less than 40% of students were accessing these sessions, and these figures were reduced in lower-income families, and even lower for our SEND students.

“Research showed us that barriers to attending after school Enrichment included needing to catch a bus, having the responsibility for picking up siblings, and also a false perception around cost or sustainability that prevented some from taking part.

“We strongly believe that Enrichment sessions are a vital part of the learning experience for students, and we wanted to ensure that this opportunity was available for every student. So, we developed a totally new timetable, which has now been in place since September 2023, this includes 100 minutes of free Enrichment activity every Wednesday afternoon within the school day. The feedback we have had from students, parents, and staff has been amazing.

“The new Wednesday afternoon Enrichment for all, is still complimented by our daily after school Enrichment offer, ensuring our students have access to a wide and enhanced range of experiences and opportunities.

Parents' feedback on social media has included: ‘Amazing range of Enrichment activities and experiences, well done Wath’ and “Definitely positive memories made! Amazing range of opportunities, something to suit everyone!

Student comments on the changes include: ‘Wednesday is my favourite day of the week’, ‘I’m now a member of a gym, after doing Enrichment’, and ‘I’m going to be in the school production of Oliver, I wouldn’t have done this without Wednesday Enrichment’.

“The new timetable has been a huge success and I’m really pleased that we have found a way to build Enrichment into the school day meaning that all the barriers have been removed. We now know that 100% of our students are engaging in Enrichment sessions in which they are developing new passions, skills and friendships,” added Mr Ransome.

We have witnessed some incredible matches leading up to this moment, and spectators can expect a display of top-tier football as the finest young talents from across the region showcase their prowess on the field. The atmosphere is expected to be electric, with fans eagerly cheering on their respective teams and creating an unforgettable atmosphere of camaraderie and support.

As the final whistle blows, one team will emerge victorious, etching their name in the annals of Rotherham football history. However, win or lose, the true winners of the Cup Final are the players themselves, who have displayed dedication, perseverance, and a love for them throughout the tournament.

Elliot Flowers, Competition Secretary, said, "School football is something for each student to be proud of, and commitment to the competition does not go without hard work. Coaches across the secondaries go above and beyond to ensure weekly training sessions are delivered, fixtures are organised, and students in Rotherham are given the best chances of representing their school at football. This cannot be overlooked.

The Rotherham Schools Finals Day is always the first date any student interested in football asks their PE teacher about on their return from the summer break. ‘Has the draw been made?’, ‘When is Finals Day?’, ‘When’s our first fixture?’. It was this enigmatic school event that, seven years ago, ultimately gave me a real sense of pride at being a small part of the competition and its history. I think I speak for everyone—from past students to coaches, referees, helpers, and supporters—when I say that the Rotherham Schools Finals Day is a special date in the borough’s calendar."

Maltby Learning Trust, in partnership with Wickersley Partnership Trust, extends a warm invitation to all football enthusiasts to join in the excitement of the Cup Final and celebrate the talent and passion of our young athletes.  Let's come together as a community to support our future football stars and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Order of events

• 9am - 9.15am - Arrival of teams at Wickersley School & Sports College
• 9.30 - Warm up: Players welcome to enter the field of play to commence warm up & official team photographs taken on walk to pitches 
• 10am - Kick off 1st XI and 2nd XI - 40 minutes each way, penalties, no extra time
• 10.10am - Kick off for Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 - 35 minutes each way, penalties, no extra time
• 12pm - Presentation of trophies in the Sports Hall

Christmas Experience

The festive season is a time of great joy and celebration, and at Maltby Learning Trust, we believe that coming together as a community is an essential part of the Christmas experience. As a family of learners, we value the tradition of gathering together to mark this special occasion. It provides us with a unique opportunity
to create lasting memories by spending quality time with one another.

During this time, we engage in meaningful conversations, share laughter through jokes, and uplift the spirit of the day with joyous singing. Whether we are enjoying a festive meal, participating in a holiday-themed activity, or simply spending time together, the magic of this experience serves as a heartfelt reminder that the essence of the Christmas period lies in the simple joys of spending time with friends and family.

Christmas at MLT

The building will extend Maltby Learning Trust’s Post-16 specialist facilities and create an incubator space for training, apprenticeships and start up support in the leisure and hospitality sectors.

The £5.9 million project, which commenced in March, is transforming the iconic building into what will become a bustling community hub, bolstering educational, employment, and enterprise opportunities in the Maltby area.

David Sutton, Chief Executive Officer of Maltby Learning Trust, said: “We are thrilled to see the progress being made on the repurposing of the old Grammar School building. This will create a community resource that will accommodate local services, support wellbeing, employment and enterprise and will provide substantial learning opportunities for the Maltby community.”

“In addition, the project will provide a state-of-the-art Post-16 facility for students who attend Maltby Academy and Sir Thomas Wharton Academy Sixth Form provision. This will be a fantastic new resource for our students focusing on both the specialist course delivery and supporting the transition into the world of work.”

External construction works have included new windows and doors, extensive internal refurbishment, and the inclusion of a new roof over the quad area to provide an impressive exhibition and performance space. The completion of these workstreams mark key milestones in the redevelopment of the Grammar School building.

The external façade will recreate the original aspect dating back to the 1930s, whilst the internal spaces are undergoing full modernisation to align with the contemporary needs and aspiration for the building.

This ambitious project has been made possible through a winning bid secured by Rotherham Council via the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, providing a substantial £4.5 million toward the redevelopment.

The revitalised building, including its iconic clocktower, will span three floors, featuring bookable workspaces, serviced hot-desking facilities, seminar rooms, a community coffee shop, and an apprenticeship and skills development centre.

This initiative is part of a broader £20 million investment by Rotherham Council, focusing on enhancing the leisure economy and skills in Rotherham. Other attractions benefiting from the Levelling Up funding include Wentworth Woodhouse,

Thrybergh Country Park, Rother Valley Country Park, Magna, and Skills Street at Gulliver’s Valley.